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Monitoring

The Gulf of Maine ecosystem changes from day to day and year to year. Understanding how and why the ecosystem is changing is necessary for managing its long-term health. Developing this understanding requires regular monitoring of key species as well as the physical conditions in the environment.

We are involved in several efforts to survey and monitor physical and biological conditions in the Gulf of Maine. Working with the University of Maine, we collect bi-weekly samples of zooplankton in Maine’s midcoast region. We work with lobstermen to conduct regular surveys of the distribution of spawning herring along Maine’s coastline each fall. We have also established a comprehensive program to monitor the fish community in Casco Bay.